Salt and co-crystal formation from 2-(imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanone and different acidic components

Four crystalline adducts derived from 2-(imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanone and the acidic compounds (2,4,6-trinitrophenol, p-nitrobenzoic acid, m-nitrobenzoic acid, and 5-nitrosalicylic acid) were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectrum, melting point, and elemental analysis. All supramolecular architectures of 1–4 involve extensive classical hydrogen bonds as well as other noncovalent interactions. The results presented herein indicate that the strength and directionality of the NH⋯O, OH⋯N, and OH⋯O hydrogen bonds (ionic or neutral) between acidic components and 2-(imidazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanone are sufficient to bring about the formation of binary organic acid–base adducts.